Leeds United faces a crucial test on Saturday as they travel to Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in the Championship. The Whites are currently top of the table, but their recent form has been inconsistent, and they desperately need a win to maintain their lead.
Daniel Farke’s side has been plagued by an inability to beat teams lower down in the standings, and their defeat at Portsmouth last weekend highlighted this flaw. However, Farke made Championship history on Wednesday night, becoming the fastest manager to reach 50 Championship wins in charge of one club.
QPR, on the other hand, has pulled themselves out of trouble in recent months and now sit 14th in the table, nine points clear of the drop zone. The Hoops have a good record against Leeds, having won their last four home games against the Whites.
Leeds’ dismal record away at QPR is a concern, with their last win at Loftus Road coming in December 2017. The Whites won the reverse fixture 2-0 earlier this season, but their away form against QPR is a worry.
To make matters worse, the EFL has announced that Tim Robinson will be the referee for Saturday’s game. Leeds has a patchy record under Robinson’s watch, with just seven wins from 18 games and six defeats. The last time Robinson refereed a Leeds game was the 2-2 draw at Sunderland earlier this season.
Kieran McKenna, the Ipswich Town manager, was left fuming with Robinson’s decisions in a game earlier this season, and Leeds may be wary of the referee’s influence on the game.
Despite these concerns, Leeds has the better squad and, if they play to their best, should come away with three vital points. However, QPR’s recent form and Leeds’ poor record away at Loftus Road make this a tricky fixture for the Whites.
Farke will need to rally his troops and ensure that they are focused on the task at hand. A win on Saturday would be a massive boost for Leeds, but a defeat could see them lose ground in the title race.
The Championship is known for its unpredictability, and this game is no exception. Leeds will need to be at their best to overcome QPR and maintain their lead at the top of the table.
Leave a Reply